MORNING REPORT

POP LP CHART : Gibson Reigns; Madonna Challenges

March 24, 1989|DENNIS HUNT | Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press

Debbie Gibson's long-running No. 1 album, "Electric Youth," hasn't lost its charge. Its major contender for the No. 1 position on the Billboard magazine pop chart is the new Madonna album, "Like a Prayer," which is likely to debut on the chart next week. Incidentally, Madonna's single by the same name is going up the pop singles chart like a rocket. It's No. 11 after just three weeks. Vanessa Williams' single "Dreamin' " just jumped three places to No. 9--her first Top 10 single.

* "Everything" has been a roller-coaster album for the Bangles. A few months ago, it was written off as a flop. But hit singles have kept the 6-month-old album, which is up to No. 22, alive. Their "Eternal Flame" is the new No. 1 pop single.